Four Admit Illegally Dealing in Firearms

Cape Girardeau, Mo. (KFMO) - Four people, including one felon, are admitting involvement in the illegal sale of firearms, including guns that were later found at crime scenes.

38-year-old Terry Lee Allen pled guilty Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Cape Girardeau to one count of unlicensed firearms dealing. In November of 2021, Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives identified Allen as someone who repeatedly bought multiple firearms from licensed dealers. Six of the seven guns and 38 of the firearms Allen bought between June of 2018 and June of 2021, came from Bull Run Weaponry in Marble Hill.

Bull Run owner William Henry Otto did not report Allen’s suspicious conduct to the ATF. During a December, 2021, search of Allen’s home, agents found 24 firearms and $55,200 cash. Allen admitted not having a Federal Firearms License (FFL). Otto’s records show that he sold at least 199 guns to Allen, the vast majority of which Allen illegally sold to others.

46-year-old Otto pled guilty August 22, 2024 to aiding and abetting unlicensed firearms dealing and admitted knowingly aiding Allen in his illegal gun sales. Otto also pleaded guilty in July in a separate case and admitted allowing a convicted felon, Shawn Dennis Stockard, to use his FFL to buy firearms at an auction house in Illinois. In early 2022, ATF agents learned of Stockard’s activities, and of his connection to Otto.

The Stockards have pled guilty and await sentencing. Otto is scheduled to be sentenced November 21, 2024. Allen is scheduled to be sentenced November 26, 2024.